Sports Parents Mental Coaching Jennifer sought our help with some tough challenges about her son, who just started playing tackle football: “He lacks confidence because he’s the smallest on the team. He doesn’t respond appropriately to criticism. His confidence sinks when he feels as if he’s not playing “perfectly.” We … Read Sport Psychology Tip
The Bullying Epidemic in Youth Sports Last week, CNN released a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll showing that slightly more than a third of teens personally have been subjected to bullying behavior. In the poll, more than two-thirds of teens said their friends had been bullied. Yet most adults believe bullying … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Setting Effective Goals in Youth Sports How do you help sports kids set goals that don’t create high expectations? Wait a minute, you may ask. The whole process of setting goals creates expectations! Read on to understand the critical difference between setting goals and creating high expectations in youth sports. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Dealing With Perfectionism in Sports Kids Just how frustrating is it for parents when a child isn’t having fun in sports because he’s a perfectionist? A reader tells us: “Practically all of the emails I have received from you (about perfectionism) could have been written about my son….” “He is … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Negative Self-Lables in Youth Sports When sports kids start calling themselves “losers,” “chokers,” “wimps” or other negative names, it’s a bad sign. Young athletes who label themselves with these negative terms are hurting their confidence. They’ve got a little voice in their head that’s constantly putting them down. And, as … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Sports Parents: Dealing With Bullied Kids A fuming sports mom recently asked us what to do to help her daughter, a talented athlete who was passed up for a slot on the Varsity Team and is now being bullied by the girls who made the team. “I have noticed my … Read Sport Psychology Tip